Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

p.m.

/piːˈɛm/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.44 in modern English

Syllables: p.m.
IPA: /piːˈɛm/

6

Scrabble Score

2

Letters

2

Syllables

2

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In the 12-hour period from noon to midnight (the latter half of the day) when using the 12-hour clock.

adv

after death

noun

Abbreviation of palm muting.

noun

Alternative spelling of p.m..

noun

Alternative spelling of PM.

Example Sentences

"HOURLY PRECIPITATION … 9 PM THROUGH 12 PM (MIDNIGHT) ZERO DAILY TOTAL"
"We never say 12 a.m. or 12 p.m. It's either 12 midnight or 12 noon, respectively."
"The 12-hour clock uses A.M. for the morning hours of midnight (12:00 A.M.) to almost noon (11:59 A.M.) and the P.M. designation for the hours from noon (12:00 P.M.) to almost midnight (11:59 PM)."
"The 12-hour clock, which is used in the U.S., Canada, and a few other countries, divides time into two cycles: a.m. (ante meridiem, Latin for before midday) from midnight, 12 a.m., to 11:59 a.m.; and p.m. (post meridiem, Latin for after midday) from noon, 12 p.m., to 11:59 p.m."
"Anna. — Yes, Ms. Weaver. — Are you busy? — Yes, Ms. Weaver. I am busy. — My office. 5:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m."
"CNN is seeking comment from legal representation for Martin. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday at 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)."

Etymology

Abbreviation of post meridiem (“after noon”).

Inflected Forms

PM (alternative) P. M. (alternative) P (alternative, US)

Synonyms

in the afternoon post meridiem pm

Antonyms

a.m. in the forenoon

Rhymes With

m m. a.m. belém mem. rehem

Questions

How do you pronounce p.m.?: The recorded pronunciation is /piːˈɛm/.
What does p.m. mean?: In the 12-hour period from noon to midnight (the latter half of the day) when using the 12-hour clock.
Where does p.m. come from?: Abbreviation of post meridiem (“after noon”).

How to pronounce p.m.

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “p.m.”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/piːˈɛm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “p.m.”.
Repeat and practice — Say “p.m.” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.